Coffee vs. Tea for GERD

Written by Robin Madell
| Published on June 30, 2012Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD
on June 30, 2012

Perhaps you’re used to kick-starting your morning with a cup
of coffee or winding down in the evening with a steaming mug of tea. Can these
beverages cause heartburn or other symptoms of acid reflux? Can they lead to
the more chronic problem of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

One factor that can lead to reflux action is the type of
foods and beverages that you consume. This is because certain substances
irritate the esophagus or weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which
prevents the backward flow of stomach contents and can cause reflux.

If you suffer from GERD, you may consider limiting your
consumption of both coffee and tea, as both relax the LES. However, some studies
have suggested distinctions between the effects of coffee and tea and the many types.
Here’s what you need to know.

The Effects of Caffeine on GERD

Caffeine—a major component of many varieties of both coffee
and tea—has been identified as a common trigger for heartburn. However, some research
suggests that it’s not quite that simple. Studies on the effect of caffeine on
GERD have yielded mixed results.

A study published in Alimentary
Pharmacology & Therapeutics noted that, while coffee and tea have been
commonly believed to cause gastroesophageal reflux, the actual effects of the
two beverages previously hadn’t been determined. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate
coffee and tea-induced reflux before and after a decaffeination process.
Researchers then compare the results with the effects of water and caffeinated water.

The study found that drinking regular (caffeinated) coffee led
to significant reflux effects when compared to tap water and caffeinated tea. On
the other hand, drinking caffeinated tea had effects on reflux symptoms
comparable to the effects of drinking water. Decaffeination of coffee
significantly reduced reflux symptoms, while decaffeination of tea had no such effect.

The study’s authors concluded that while caffeinated coffee
increases reflux—an effect that is less pronounced after decaffeination—the
same couldn’t be said of caffeinated tea. Therefore, because caffeine doesn’t
seem to be responsible for reflux, the symptoms must be attributable to other
components of coffee.

However, a Stanford University study that appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine evaluated
medical reports published on heartburn from 1975 to 2004. Researchers found no
scientific evidence to support the idea that eliminating coffee helps to avoid
reflux. Another study published in the European
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology also found caffeinated coffee to
have no significant effect on acid reflux in either GERD patients or people
without GERD.

To Avoid or Indulge?

With the jury still out about caffeine’s effects on reflux,
it can be difficult to know whether GERD patients should avoid coffee or tea.

Some evidence suggests that
going decaf may help coffee drinkers avoid reflux symptoms. A study published
in Alimentary Pharmacology &
Therapeutics concluded that drinking decaffeinated coffee rather than regular
coffee can decrease reflux in patients with GERD.

The relationship between tea and GERD is similarly debated. While
some medical centers, including the Cleveland Clinic, recommend avoiding tea to
avoid heartburn, there is a fair amount of evidence that suggests tea doesn’t
cause reflux. Research published in the journal Gut reported that neither tea nor coffee appear to be risk factors
for GERD. Another study in the World
Journal of Gastroenterology also found that tea didn’t influence reflux and
found drinking coffee to have only a mild association with reflux.

Conclusion

There are a few caveats. While the majority of studies have
focused on black (caffeinated) tea, some types of herbal teas are in fact
associated with GERD symptoms. For example, peppermint and spearmint may cause
heartburn—while using the enteric coated tablet form of dried peppermint
extract can actually help ease heartburn.

The lack of consensus in the scientific and medical
community about the effects of coffee versus tea on GERD symptoms suggests that
knowing your personal tolerance for these beverages is your best bet. If you’re
uncertain about whether or not to avoid coffee, tea, or both, talk to your
doctor. They can help you identify your individual triggers for GERD.

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